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Journals / Anatolian Current Medical Journal / 2026 / Volume: 7 Issue: 4

Positional effects on femoral vein cross-sectional area: a prospective ultrasonographic study

İhsaniye Süer Doğan(Etlik City Hospital, Department of Radiology)0000-0002-7586-0537
Nezih Kavak(Etlik City Hospital Department of Emergency)0000-0003-2751-0046
Pages
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Publication Date
2025-07-28
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Additionally, factors such as age, sex, and BMI were found to significantly influence femoral vein calibre.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Aims: The study aimed to assess the variation in femoral vein diameter and cross-sectional area (CSA) across different body positions in a cohort of healthy Turkish adults and to explore the associations between venous measurements and demographic variables, including age, sex, and body-mass index (BMI).
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Key Findings & Data:Methods: Ultrasonographic measurements of the right and left femoral vein diameters and CSA were obtained in five distinct body positions from 278 healthy adults, encompassing a total of 556 lower limbs.
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Conclusion & Impact:Additionally, factors such as age, sex, and BMI were found to significantly influence femoral vein calibre.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Femoral vein · cross-sectional area · ultrasonography

Abstract

Aims: The study aimed to assess the variation in femoral vein diameter and cross-sectional area (CSA) across different body positions in a cohort of healthy Turkish adults and to explore the associations between venous measurements and demographic variables, including age, sex, and body-mass index (BMI). Methods: Ultrasonographic measurements of the right and left femoral vein diameters and CSA were obtained in five distinct body positions from 278 healthy adults, encompassing a total of 556 lower limbs. Demographic parameters, including age, sex, and BMI, were systematically documented for each participant. Results: A total of 278 participants (556 limbs) were analysed. Males exhibited significantly higher femoral vein CSA than females across all positions (p<0.001). The lowest mean CSA was in the Trendelenburg position (0.87±0.08 cm²), and the highest in the reverse Trendelenburg+frog-leg position (1.51±0.11 cm²) (p<0.001). CSA positively correlated with age in all positions except Trendelenburg (r=0.400–0.479, p<0.001). Overweight and obese (class I) individuals showed significantly higher CSA values than normal or underweight participants (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that body positioning significantly affects the CSA of the femoral vein. Additionally, factors such as age, sex, and BMI were found to significantly influence femoral vein calibre.

Özet

Aims: The study aimed to assess the variation in femoral vein diameter and cross-sectional area (CSA) across different body positions in a cohort of healthy Turkish adults and to explore the associations between venous measurements and demographic variables, including age, sex, and body-mass index (BMI). Methods: Ultrasonographic measurements of the right and left femoral vein diameters and CSA were obtained in five distinct body positions from 278 healthy adults, encompassing a total of 556 lower limbs. Demographic parameters, including age, sex, and BMI, were systematically documented for each participant. Results: A total of 278 participants (556 limbs) were analysed. Males exhibited significantly higher femoral vein CSA than females across all positions (p<0.001). The lowest mean CSA was in the Trendelenburg position (0.87±0.08 cm²), and the highest in the reverse Trendelenburg+frog-leg position (1.51±0.11 cm²) (p<0.001). CSA positively correlated with age in all positions except Trendelenburg (r=0.400–0.479, p<0.001). Overweight and obese (class I) individuals showed significantly higher CSA values than normal or underweight participants (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that body positioning significantly affects the CSA of the femoral vein. Additionally, factors such as age, sex, and BMI were found to significantly influence femoral vein calibre.

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Cite This Article

Doğan, İ. S., Kavak, N. (2025). Positional effects on femoral vein cross-sectional area: a prospective ultrasonographic study. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, Volume: 7 Issue: 4. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1709927

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